Derbyshire Dales District
Council
Walks in the Matlocks
Derbyshire Dales District Council commissioned SHMS to design
and produce this 16 page A5 full colour booklet which describes
six scenic walks around Matlock, Matlock Bath and the surrounding
area.
The Matlocks lie in the valley of the River Derwent, surrounded
by limestone and gritstone hills, offering superb walking along
riverside and wooded hillside paths, with far reaching views.
But scenery is not the only attraction of the area. Visitors
have come here since the 17th century, marvelling at the splendour
of High Tor and calling the area 'Little Switzerland'.
Cable Car to the Heights of Abraham above Matlock
Bath
The building of the railway brought a huge increase in the
number of tourists, particularly those who came to visit the
spas and drink from mineral springs. They bathed in the waters
whilst staying in one of the many 'hydros' built as hotels specialising
in 'water cures'.
Typical of the 'spa architecture' of the period is the Grand
Pavilion at Matlock Bath, built in the 1880s and now home to
the Tourist Information Centre and Peak District Mining Museum.
Grand Pavilion - Matlock Bath Tourist Information
Centre and Peak District Mining Museum
Another hydro here was the building now occupied by the Aquarium
on North Parade. Half a million gallons of warm water flow through
the fishpool each day, once a bath for sufferers of rheumatism.
In Matlock a local textile manufacturer called John Smedley built
the town's premier hydro in 1862, treating over 2,000 patients
a year. It now houses offices of Derbyshire County Council. The
ruined outline of his home, Riber Castle, towers over the town.
Riber Castle
A little further down the valley Sir Richard Arkwright made
use of the river and built the first water-powered cotton mill
at Cromford in 1771. His two mills (Masson Mill and Cromford
Mill) are now part of a Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
The area has much of interest for the visitor. There are six
walks to choose from.
Happy walking!
To view
or download 'Walks in the Matlocks' booklet (.pdf file) click
here
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See - "The
Limestone Way" also produced by SHMS for Derbyshire
Dales District Council.
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